The Porter Paper

08 February 2013

Lewiston Times Two

Jordan had to go up to Lewiston for a an overnight trip a couple weeks ago. Our camera was broken so we didn't take pictures that time. It was also a last minute thing so I didn't prepare anything. I had no treats for the boys for the drive so when we stopped I got them some breakfast bars and fig newtons (seriously). Then that night we were so ready to be out of the car we just went to taco bell. It wasn't good. We got nachos and bean and cheese burritos. Bleh.

That night went really well. Cedrik snuggled!! That never happens and was incredibly amazing. We watched HGTV which we haven't done in years and it was fun. The next morning we went and had breakfast in Clarkston, Washington (Lewsiton, Clarkston: Lewis and Clark...get it? Jordan had to point that out to me.). It wasn't very good either. They do have a run down train in the middle of town that Cedrik LOVED.

The next week we had to go back. We had our camera this time. We had mexican food at a restaurant that had great reviews online and we had amazing cheese enchiladas. We played at the train and Cedrik and Freddie loved cruising around it and touching everything. Freddie especially loved the rocks on the ground and he really likes to be outside. The next morning we had waffles. I had buckwheat and Cedrik had a regular one. Jordan had hashbrowns with salsa, mushrooms, onions and peppers. They were really good. So the second trip went much better. We had better food to eat and better food to eat in the car. The novelty of being in the car for such a long period of time two weeks in a row wore off but the boys were still really good. Before we left we walked across the bridge and Cedrik loved this. He loves anything that has to do with construction or moving things (trains especially). He loved watching the ducks and geese in the water. He also got to watch Dora the Explorer which for some reason he loves even though he has only watched it about 2 other times--he was asking to watch it before I had even decided he could watch anything and I didn't know if that was on or even that he remembered the show! His memory is really good.

There were so many trains on the way up there (and tracks and trestles) so Cedrik loved watching them and counting the cars. This is how he counts "one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, 13, 16, 17, 16, 17, 16, 17, 16, 17!!!" His voices gets really high when he says the last 16 and 17. It is SO cute.

He loves Thomas. So, every train is named Thomas.

It was windy.

We were looking at yet another train at the bottom of the hill.

I know...

It has been awhile.

Our camera broke. So we had to get a new one. I'm sure I've already forgot some things that have happened. I have not forgotten that Freddie is now walking. Is is seriously good at it. He can turn around and pick things up and his favorite thing to do is to hold something and walk around. He is even happier if that something needs to be balanced. We have a wooden egg that fits in a cup (not as weird as it sounds) and he loves to walk around with that and balance the egg in the cup. He also LOVES to stack things and tear up any activity that Cedrik is doing. I'm sure he is just trying to help. The last couple of days he has realized that we fold our arms when we pray so now when we say it is time to eat he folds his arms and grunts. He grunts for everything. He doesn't ever open his mouth to talk, unless it is to say Dada, but he grunts "mmmhmmm" and shakes his head yes, or said "mmmMmmm" and shakes his head no. Or he just grunts and touches my chest for milk. He is super funny. Last night was the first night that he slept through the night!! He is 14 months old. I'm sure most people would say that is too long without sleeping through the night. Maybe...but I did make it. He sleeps until between 8 & 9 every day and he and Cedrik play until they fall asleep every night. Most of the time they laugh hysterically, sometimes there is yelling.

They play well almost all day long. Cedrik can't wait for Freddie to get up in the morning. Cedrik is talking non-stop. He says the funniest things. Most days he is very helpful and we have been working very hard on not hitting. His emotions can get so intense for him, mostly when he doesn't get his way and then he hits or kicks. We have been doing a sticker chart for getting dressed in the morning and putting toys away at night. He has LOVED this and so have I. Things he has said that are funny: Tonight in the truck he was sitting in his car seat and he arched his back, got a solomn look on his face and said "I'm not pooping. I'm fluffing." He has started the "Why mom?" Today we were talking about helping Jesus and he said that he helps Jesus with the truck (not sure what this means). He also helps Jesus with Papa.

I got a new calling a few months ago; this could be another reason I haven't blogged. I'm the second counselor in the Relief Society. I have learned so much in a couple of months and I'm surprised at how much I care for the women in my ward and I do feel like Heavenly Father is keenly aware of their needs. I had to give my first lesson in January and I think it went pretty well. It was about making our homes more like the temple.

And then...there was the day my best friend moved. Well, she didn't move by herself. Her husband got a new (great) job in New Hampshire. Yes, a very VERY long way away. This also means that Cedrik's best friends, Connor and Lily moved away. Tonight he ~~asked~~ yelled down the stairs that he wanted Connor and Lily to come to our house. It was very sad. I'm still sad. Well, I'm choosing to call it "mourning."

It did finally get warm again so we have been able to go for walks in the afternoon and that helps to break up these long winter days.

We did buy a new camera. We are still trying to figure out exactly how it works and all of the settings so these pictures will not be amazing.

08 January 2013

At My Feet

The boys' favorite place to be is either 1. At my feet. 2. At my feet. 3. At my feet. 4. In the same room as me.
Because of those top 4 things, we are rarely apart. Unless we are sleeping. And then I am really only separated from Cedrik (most of the time. Sometimes he likes to sleep with me too.) because Freddie somehow manages to sleep with us all night. They also leave a trail of toys while they follow me around. We have started a new sticker chart for Cedrik to use to pick up his toys and get dressed. His prize: dark chocolate chips at the end of the week for every day he has both stickers. So far this week (we just started) he has earned two chocolate chips! I don't like to underestimate the power of chocolate. ;)

Bath:Warning Naked Bum

Christmas Part Deux & Tres

We spent Christmas in Utah. It always feels like Christmas down there. Carla has her huge, CUTE village set up in the living room with garland and trees, Santa collection, beautiful Christmas needlework and wreaths. Her house even looks like a gingerbread house with the lights on outside (I don't think this was intentional, but I am not the first to comment on it). I will give details with pictures.

Our truck ran horribly (understatement) the whole time we were down there. We found out when we got home and had it checked that the exhaust had a crack in it (which we knew) but that the catalytic converter was plugged. Fun.

Jordan got to see Stuart, his ~~only~~ best friend. His wife and son were sick but it was fun to see him and Samantha. She is a very cute girl and SO smart. Cedrik really didn't want to share toys with her so she was mainly stuck with a doll and a tractor. She managed. Before we went to UT we were given some authentic ginger bread form England. Completely amazing. Stuarts Mom is English so we had him take a couple of pieces to her. YUM.

On Saturday we spent the afternoon with Julie and Nate and their kids down in Salt Lake (Saratoga Springs). It was nice to finally see their house and the boys did pretty well. They decided not to come with us to Temple Square but it was still a fun visit. We laughed A LOT.

Spencer's girlfriend's parents live in Layton. He and Bethany were still in Layton and so they drove down to Salt Lake City to see the lights at temple square with us. Her parents came as well and it was a really fun visit. I think her mom and I were the most impressed with the lights (or maybe we just commented the most??). It was nice to share the beauty of the Christmas Season with them and the lights were so impressive. It was also nice to spend an evening with such a nice family.

Cedrik had a ball with Spencer. He wanted to either hold his hand or be held by him. He also wanted to jump off of everything. Somehow I managed to walk away from the evening with a compliment. Bethany's mom said that she thought I was a very calm mother! If only she could see me at home!

Jenny walked Freddie around to his hearts content. He still isn't walking on his own but he is seriously thinking about it.

On Monday we went to Chari and Brandon's. Cedrik and Taycee talked/yelled at each other and antagonized one another. It was pretty funny.

He smiles on cue!

(Cedrik is standing and Tacyee is on the bench. That is why he looks so little)

Cedrik and Taycee's pictures:

Exhaustion. He rarely sleeps while driving.

Christmas Eve presents from Grandma.

Cedrik and Bowen got some cute teddy bear back packs and a car from Grandma!

Cedrik is still in love with Chandler. LOVE.

Bingo:

This is for him to wear at dinner so he doesn't have to hear other people's chewing.

A very adorable lawn ornament for Jara. A jeweled turtle. It even wobbles!

Steve's Hulk shirt.

Jim hates clowns.

Toe socks. This isn't really a gag gift because Chari actually likes them a lot.

As seen on TV (if you watch tv): a pocket chair!.

Taycee holding her Barney doll from Grandma.

Christmas morning. As we walked up the stairs we said "lets go see what toys Santa brought you." His response when he were at the top of the stairs and he could barely see it "oh.MY.dosh. OH.MY.DOSH." (oh my gosh). It melted my heart. We really didn't put emphasis on Santa. We didn't lay out treats or anything like that. In fact, I don't think he understood what was happening until he saw the toy. Jordan's favorite toy as a child was mainstreet. He found one on Ebay and now it is Cedrik's favorite toy.

Carla has a collection of stockings that she has made over the years and so we got to pick the one we wanted to use. FUN! In Cedrik's stocking there was a book, some chapstick, candy and I think that's it. Freddie got some music makers and a book. He didn't understand any of it. Oh well, next year he will.

Colby's present. A new stereo for his room. This was a candid photo. :)

TRES:

We had Dad and Donna over for the boy's Christmas the weekend after Christmas. They received some very cool presents and are playing happily all day long.